Ebola: NCDC Identifies 53 Primary Contacts Linked to Nigeria’s Confirmed Case

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified 53 primary contacts linked to Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola virus disease case, as health authorities intensify surveillance and preventive measures to limit the risk of further transmission.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday. He also confirmed that a suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State had tested negative.

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NCDC Tracks Contacts After Ebola Confirmation

Idris said the agency had identified 53 primary contacts and established two suspected cases as part of its ongoing response to the infection.

“We have established two suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” he said.

The contacts are being monitored because of possible exposure to the infected woman, a 42-year-old who recently returned to Nigeria from Uganda.

The NCDC’s surveillance efforts are aimed at identifying possible infections early and reducing the risk of further transmission.

How Nigeria’s Confirmed Ebola Case Was Detected

According to Idris, the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and visited a private health facility on October 10. She presented at another private facility the following day, where she was admitted.

The NCDC was notified of the case on October 19. The agency subsequently launched an investigation and collected samples for testing.

The NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory confirmed the infection on October 20.

Idris said the patient presented with fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and a sore throat. However, she did not report any bleeding.

Rivers Suspected Case Tests Negative

The agency said a suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State tested negative, providing no laboratory confirmation of the disease in that case.

The NCDC has continued to urge healthcare providers to remain vigilant and promptly report patients whose symptoms or travel history raise concerns about possible Ebola infection.

The negative result does not remove the need for continued surveillance, particularly as health authorities monitor the identified contacts linked to the confirmed case.

NCDC Strengthens Laboratory Capacity

Idris said about 12 public and private laboratories were available to test for Ebola, adding that the agency had strengthened laboratory capacity to ensure suspected cases could be investigated promptly.

He also urged public and private healthcare facilities to reinforce screening and triage procedures and improve infection prevention and control measures.

Healthcare facilities were advised to ensure that health workers had adequate personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of exposure while attending to suspected cases.

Healthcare Facilities Urged to Maintain Vigilance

The NCDC’s latest update highlights the importance of early detection, contact tracing, laboratory confirmation and strict infection prevention measures in containing Ebola virus disease.

The agency is encouraging healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure histories.